Shisa Arc

Story guide

Outside the cafe, Shisa hears a rumor that it is going to close. Nearby Yoroi-san (Armor Knights) say it would be sad if someone earned a Super Albeiter certification only to lose their job. Shisa hears this and stops while looking toward the cafe. Whether the rumor is true is not yet shown, but it reaches Shisa, who is pursuing the certification, as unsettling news. This begins the chapter as Shisa's own story.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware spot Shisa working at the Jiro shop from outside. Hachiware says that Shisa is working energetically today, while Shisa carries bowls and attends to customers. Shisa keeps a composed expression even during work, and Yoroi-san (Armor Knight), who seems to be Shisa's mentor, watches from inside. At the end, Yoroi-san takes it that Shisa likes Jiro. In contrast to the earlier rumor, the scene shows Shisa putting their feelings into their current work.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware, who had been playing, spot Shisa studying using a tree stump as a desk and approach while commenting that Shisa is studying outside again. They call out to say good work, but Shisa sighs weakly while still gripping a pencil, and Hachiware notices that something is wrong. When Hachiware places a hand on Shisa's forehead, it is quite hot, and Hachiware raises their voice saying Shisa has a fever, estimating it to be around 37.5 degrees. Chiikawa is also surprised and worried. At the end, with an exhausted Shisa slumped between the two of them, Hachiware murmurs wondering what to do, and the scene ends.

Story guide

Chiikawa holds a pale, pentagonal food item and points to the shape at its center. Beside it are lettering that indicates only that part and an arrow emphasizing that this is the spot. Chiikawa briefly conveys that they found the shape, but the image does not explain who they are addressing or the food's name. The focus is on showing the central shape, and Chiikawa continues to indicate the place they found without moving their fingertip.

Story guide

Hachiware asks whether Shisa, who is resting in bed, is all right, while Chiikawa watches nearby. Shisa asks them to buy something to cool their forehead and something that feels cool when applied, naming Hie Pita and VapoRub. Chiikawa and Hachiware repeat the unfamiliar product names and check whether the applied item feels cold. Shisa says they can rest alone, but the two decide to go look for the two needed items. Their concern turns into the concrete task of shopping for care, and they look at each other.

Story guide

When Chiikawa and Hachiware return to the bedside, Shisa is already asleep. Beside the bedding, they check how to use the item they were asked to apply and open the lid of a blue container. Chiikawa takes some on their fingertip and gently tries to apply it to Shisa's forehead, visible above the bedding. Shisa stirs while asleep, and the two stop their hands and check again so as not to wake them. Rather than simply handing over what they bought, they try to use it while protecting Shisa's sleep.

Story guide

Lying down with a fever, Shisa thinks back to the rumor that the cafe will close and to the Super Albeiter system. A mentor-like figure and words about certifications come to mind, and those thoughts continue even in sleep. By the pillow, Chiikawa and their friends notice how much is written in Shisa's notebook and talk about what Shisa wants to do. The post places Shisa's unease alongside notes about goals found by the two.

Story guide

Shisa wakes up at night and worries about having fallen asleep again. Thoughts of the town and certifications linger from their sleep, and uncertainty about what will happen if their current shop or future path changes does not go away. After hesitating in bed, Shisa gets up and opens a book about alcohol and a notebook. They reconnect their wish to try other certifications with their wish to keep studying what they can now, encourage themself to keep trying despite what remains unknown, and return to the desk at night. Their feelings are still unsettled.

Story guide

Having regained their energy, Shisa thanks Chiikawa and Hachiware for caring for them. They reflect that their condition may have been a fever brought on by overthinking and declare that they have recovered. Hachiware tells Shisa to ask them about anything they do not understand in their Super Albeiter studies, and Chiikawa agrees. Shisa says they will keep trying and holds their book, turning the exchange among the three into a promise to support their studies after recovery.

Story guide

Against a white background, Chimera opens their mouth wide and sheds straight tears from both eyes. Their purple tail extends to the side, and both hands remain at their sides, with no action shown other than crying. With no speech bubbles or explanatory text, this post alone does not reveal what Chimera is sad about or what happened just before. The illustration centers on the tear tracks and open mouth, presenting only Chimera's emotion. Without supplying story progression or relationships with others, it remains a short post of Chimera's crying face itself.

Story guide

Calling Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) their mentor, Shisa follows them and sits beside them on a tree stump. Shisa says they want to ask about the Super Albeiter system. Yoroi-san asks where Shisa heard about it, and Shisa explains that they overheard it with their small ears. They continue talking while holding drinks, and Shisa tries to ask their mentor directly about the rumor that the certification will disappear.

Story guide

Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) tells Shisa that they want to keep working at Jiro until the final day. Shisa says that even if that happens, they will continue calling them mentor, and also reveals that they had been looking forward to a drink after work. Yoroi-san reassures Shisa that the certification system will probably not disappear, and Shisa calls them mentor again. The two bring their containers of black drink close together, ending the scene as a conversation that receives Shisa's worry.

Story guide

Hachiware thinks about something that feels cool when applied and worries whether the person lying down will be all right alone. Chiikawa nods strongly, says Vapo, and picks up a small pink object. Seeing that response, Hachiware nods as though confirming something. Their conversation stays focused on checking the items needed for care, without explaining who will use them or how that person's condition develops afterward.

Story guide

Chiikawa enters a drugstore and walks between the shelves looking for the Hie Pita Shisa requested. Even after finding a box, they cannot locate the other item that feels cool when applied. Hachiware recalls that the requested name was likely VapoRub and looks around the shelves with Chiikawa. Having secured the Hie Pita, the two continue searching for the missing ointment. As a green shopkeeper-like figure passes through the store, their shopping trip to gather the two items needed for care continues.

Cultural and language noteHie Pita is a widely known brand of cooling gel sheets applied to places such as the forehead to create a cool sensation.

Story guide

Chiikawa holds a shopping bag and notices they have gathered the Vaporub and cooling patch they were looking for. Hachiware, standing before an item found at the store, is convinced that this is exactly the important thing they needed. While the two are checking the items, a green clerk-like figure hands over the bag. Chiikawa holds the received bag and leaves the store with Hachiware. It depicts the shopping for nursing care being essentially completed.

Story guide

Hachiware comes over holding a notebook while giving a morning greeting and places stickers on the page. When Chiikawa is surprised, Hachiware answers that it is a things-to-do list. Saying they have to stick them on, Hachiware keeps adding stickers and continues saying this one too, making Chiikawa tilt their head in puzzlement. The open page lists: wake up in the morning, wash face, fold futon, breakfast, go out, say good morning greeting, and show list. Hachiware explains that their actions are bound by the list. When Chiikawa frantically waves their hands, Hachiware asks if they wrote too much, agrees that it is true, and laughs sheepishly that it had escalated a bit.

Story guide

Rakko sees a small companion waiting in front of a shop and pauses to consider how they should be addressed. Yoroi-san (Armor Knight) calls Rakko master first, and Rakko accepts the title, while Chiikawa and Hachiware confer over a different word. When the two call Rakko teacher together, Rakko likes the title and tells the small companion to grow stronger. The brief exchange over forms of address ends by reaffirming the relationship between teacher and learner.